If you speak Telugu,
the language of Andhra Pradesh, India, you'll enjoy this even more.
Souljourns traveled to the small village of Bukkapatnam for this
interview with the man believed to be the last surviving childhood
classmate of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Gyani Baile of Midland, Michigan,
USA offers an English translation immediately following
Sathyanarayana's answers.
with a heavy heart i want
to pass this sad news about the death of Sri Sathya narayana,
who had the great fortune to be Swami's classmate when He
studied in Bukkapatnam school. Sri.Sathyanarayana was 88 years
old and by His grace had a peaceful passing. According to the
family members, he was on liquid diet for the past two days and
on 21st July around 8pm he was rushed to Swami's hospital where
he was declared dead.
Apart from being Swami's
classmate, he was an ardent devotee of Swami. i had this great
fortune to meet him many times in his ancestral home in
Bukkapatnam (4 kilometers from Parthi). Infact when ever I'm
in Bukkapatnam, i definitely go to his home. He was a very sweet
person full of love. He never let me go without partaking food
in his home and that made me feel so touched by his hospitality.
Sri.Sathya narayana, was
also a freedomfighter who took part actively in freedom struggle
during British regime. He first met Swami when he was 12 years
old and Swami was 3 years younger to him. One would imagine how
fortunate he was to meet Him at that age and more fortunate to
see the Swami of today who is now known all over the world.
I once accompanied brother
Ted Henry
to do a
small interview
and the latest I met him was in April 2010.Considering the
importance of such a great personality, i did another interview
where in he said, he was one of the witness to the incident
where in Swami was made to stand on the bench and the teacher
gets stuck to the chair. Even though, his friend ship with Swami
is old, they were and are still friends. When ever, Sri.Sathya
narayana came to darshan, Swami made sure He stopped by and ask
about his health and family. Sri Sathya Narayana used to compare
himself as Kuchela the poor friend of Lord Krishna and it was
very much true when you look closely. Swami did not forget His
classmate once the school days were over. He performed the
marriages of all his daughters, made sure they all were self
sufficient.
When ever there was any need Swami was always there. Speaking
about Swami, Sri.Sathya Narayana once said, during Swami 75th
birthday celebrations, Swami asked him to speak. Just before the
day of the talk, Swami saw His classmate getting tense. Swami
took him to the interview room and dictated the whole talk to
him and the next day, when he delivered the talk, Swami, like
the assembled devotees, was immersed in the talk and after the
talk was over, clapped for his excllent talk (the divine actor
Swami) and it was the turn of Sri.Sathya narayana to be
surprised.
Sri.Sathyanarayana used to
show all the beautiful letters, Swami used to write to him and
all of them showed how much concern Swami had for him.
Being a classmate to the
Avatar of this kali age, Sri.Sathyanarayana didn't use this
friendship for petty personal reasons. He rather requested Swami
to built a marriage hall for hindus, Shadi khana(marriage hall
for muslims) , mosque and an excellent state of the art college
in Bukkapatnam which even today are catering the needs of
thousands of people.
Swami used to go very often to Bukkapatnam just to see his
friend. Sri.Sathyanarayana used to say, the only TRICK he used
to make Swami come to his home was by avoiding darshans. There
were many instances when Swami had lunch, break fast in his home
which is a very small one. In those days, Swami used to take
Sri.Sathyanarayana to the interview room and dictated the whole
talk to him and the next day, when he delivered the talk, Swami,
like the assembled devotees, was immersed in the talk and after
the talk was over, clapped for his excellent talk (the divine
actor Swami) and it was the turn of Sri. Sathya Narayana to be
surprised.
Sri.Sathyanarayana used to show all the beautiful letters, Swami
used to write to him and all of them showed how much concern
Swami had for him.
Being a classmate to the Avatar of this kali age,
Sri.Sathyanarayana didn't use this friendship for petty personal
reasons. He rather requested Swami to built a marriage hall for
Hindus, Shadi khana (marriage hall for Muslims) , mosque and an
excellent state of the art college in Bukkapatnam which even
today are catering the needs of thousands of people.
Swami used to go very often to Bukkapatnam just to see his
friend. Sri.Sathyanarayana used to say, the only TRICK he used
to make Swami come to his home was by avoiding darshans. There
were many instances when Swami had lunch, break fast in his home
which is a very small one. In those days, Swami used to take
Sri.Sathyanarayana to the interview room and speak at least for
10 minutes. it had become a routine. One day Swami didn't call
him and it happened continuously for a week. This made him very
unhappy and then Swami wrote a sweet letter, apologizing for the
trouble. Swami in the letter said, it is only because many, many
devotees have started coming, I am forced to steal your time and
give it to the devotees. If you are unhappy like this I will not
partake any food and if you want this to happen then you can be
unhappy with Swami. This was the love they shared with each
other..
Swami's near and dear ones are slowly merging in Him. All the
great heroes, have left a legacy with us. They all lived a very
simple, humble and modest life which is a great example for us
who claim to be His devotees. The lives lived by humble souls
like him are worth living. They all won His hearts and we are no
where close to that..
According to the family members, Swami was intimated about the
death of His classmate (on a physical level, not that He doesnt'
know) and Swami asked the family not to worry or feel sad.
Apparently He said, Sathya Narayana has merged in Swami now.
Don't worry or cry.
Swami sent a white
cloth, vibhuthi prasadam with His messenger which itself shows
the love He has for His classmate even after he left the body...
As another holy soul left Parthi, it is time for all of us to
LOOK WITH IN and live the life of a TRUE DEVOTEE.. Swami is
always there to guide us and give what ever we ask for but only
thing is are we ready for it???
O Swami! thank you for allowing to meet a humble soul who
happened to be Your classmate, play mate and a dear devotee.
Help us all to be as dear and near as him and pray for the
ALREADY blessed SOUL to rest in Peace... AMEN...
Jai Sai Ram
Submitted by SBOI group member Satish Naik
*Ted
Henry has been a Television journalist for more than 40 years.
He recently retired from WEWS-TV, the ABC affiliate in Cleveland
where among his many duties, he presented a weekly news report on
spirituality called, "Heart and Soul".
Because he's a journalist with a long standing interest in
spirituality, Ted and his wife, Jody Cleary have traveled
extensively for the past 14 years conducting long form video
interviews with reputed "Holy" people. Many of these interviews are
with followers of Holy Man, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Other stories are
about noted spiritual figures and local and global individuals who
have compelling personal stories to share.
The stories reported within these interviews nearly always embody
the important spiritual concept of, "Love all, serve all". They also
espouse the concept of spiritual unity. Those interviewed include
Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others.
Ted and Jody work as a team seeking and locating people whose lives
have been transformed by mystical, religious or spiritual pursuit.
Thus far they have recorded more than a hundred and twenty
interviews, many or which they hope to post here. Watch for them,
they will likely be under the banner of: Souljourns.
One of the purposes here is to include comments and lessons from
spiritual minded people who demonstrate minimal ego and maximum
humility, compassion, understanding, peace and love.
In their dozens of trips abroad, as well as around America, Ted and
Jody have found many individuals whose stories of devotion and
spiritual seeking are inspiring, loving and transformative.
(These interviews and talks are strictly independent and NOT a part
of any official organization)
in Bukkapatnam, i definitely go to his home. He was a very sweet
person full of love. He never let me go without partaking food
in his home and that made me feel so touched by his hospitality.
